Bengal driving me nuts!

[Oneonetheracehorse]

We have a 15 year old Bengal who is driving me crazy. I have always had cats, but rescue cats, who have all been fairly normal (as much as cats can be!)

My husband and his ex girlfriend got 2 bengal kittens but split up when they were still young. He kept them and I joined the family when they were 6 :) I'm explaining this as I would have never chosen bengal cats but am stuck with it now!

We sadly lost our boy last year (he was the calmer one) but we still have the girl. Love her to bits but oh my god, she drives me nuts. Constantly yells at full volume, and seems to pick times when our toddler is napping or I am trying to!
She has everything she needs, is loved, sleeps with us and took to the baby surprisingly well (actually seems very fond of him!)
Just wanting to vent to any other bengal owners out there and find some solidarity as at times she makes me feel like I'm losing my mind with how loud and persistent she is! I've lived with her for nearly 10 years so am not new to it but now we are parents, am feeling extra frazzled by it!

How much exercise does she get?

Yup, 2 bengals here (also 15 yrs) and both are rather 'miaowy'. One was getting much worse though and it turns out that both of them have an overactive thyroid. Weight loss was the other main symptom at first, hotly followed by the more severe one starting to get patches of fur loss.

Has she had a blood test for hyperthyroidism? Makes them super hungry & super yowly (especially as Bengals are already vocal!). Its common in order cats.

...mentioning just in case.

She sounds like a typical bengal! They are very vocal cats and man they are loud. You have my sympathy (they are lovely cats though apart from the racket they make)

My 1 year old boy Bengal will follow me out for a walk around the block, would she do this? Knackers him out! Any toys you can get which are battery powered to entertain her?

I think I just tuned out to it. They are noisy buggers but you always know where they are!

Unless they go stealth.

Hahaha thats bengals for ya! They love a chat, especially in the middle of the night. Mine likes to scratch my walls to get attention. I love her ,but she is a pain!

Mine twanged door handles 😭 then waited for a response. Then did it again.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/3564597-Next-doors-thug-cat

Have you read these 4 threads yet?

Was she always like this or has it come on his her brother died?

Hi all!

She has plenty of toys and exercise, always been like it - actually seems happier since her brother died as he used to bother her a bit. She also loves having me at home all day as she loves company so her life is rosy right now- just driving me mad bless her!
She had a thyroid op a couple of years ago so the vet keeps a close eye on that for us.
I know there are no solutions but just wanted to find co bengal owners who feel my pain :)
@DuckPancake she will come out with me but spooks easily so will run back under the car or inside! Her brother was much more adventurous.

@Fluffycloudland77 mine will tip her food bowl over very loudly if she isn't getting enough attention. I love their strong characters and how clever they are - I always said it was good practice for children!

We had two cats, one died aged 13 and the other was then 15. He immediately went downhill after a lifetime of brilliant health. He miaowed around the house day and night. We used feliway plug ins and spoke to him all the time to reassure him we were around.

He seemed to forget what he usually behaved like. Vet said it was like cat dementia and anxiety. He also had sight loss we had never realised.

Anyway I'm just describing it because what seemed like just annoying behaviour had medical reasons, so I recommend a full vet check up.

Also, earplugs for night or a nap used to be my best friend but that's out of the window with a little one now!

Mine will start meowing very loudly as soon as I’m on a work call; it drives me crazy and people ask if it’s a child!

@frogsbreath so sorry to hear about your cat. Ours has regular vet checks and is up to date with everything- she's just a typical bengal! With annoying behaviour :)

@Bdhntbis I've had that too! Esp with our boy. He was even louder and loved a phone call! A few people have said, ahhh is that a baby?

One of mine is currently pacing in the kitchen and yelling at the top of her lungs because the cat flap has been closed for the night. 😾

When ndn had a baby we used to say "bengal or baby?" when we heard something.

They just want constant attention while awake and interaction. I have a moggy now and she goes to sleep after food then wakes for some more food and fuss & thats your lot. You'll never find her stranded on top of the wardrobe.